Fully Customized Device On/Off Timer

Timers are used in many different applications for example in Industrial Applications, to switch ON or switch OFF any device or a machine load for a specific period of time. In the same way the timers are used in Domestic Appliances like in Air Conditioners, Microwave Ovens, Washing Machines, Food Processors etc.

The applications for the timers could also be seen in Military Applications and Space Applications, to trigger any Bomb or a Missile or to ignite booster rockets for lift offs at a specific time.

Here the given project demonstrates the fully featured and customized timer built using AVR Microcontroller ATMega32.

Features of the On/Off Timer

· Simple user interface using only 4 push buttons

· LCD for message display

· LEDs for indications

· Buzzer for audio notification

· Can count from 0 to 9999

· User selectable two counting speeds – 1 count/sec and 10 count/sec

· User selectable count up or count down

· Potential free (relay) contacts for device/machine/load on/off

User can connect any device or machine with the timer relay contacts. Set the desire count from 0 to 9999. Set counting direction either up or down and set counting speed either 1 count/sec or 10count/sec. Then when he press start switch to start timer operation, the device/machine will remain ON till the count finishes. As the count finishes, the device will shift to OFF mode and a beep sound is produced for audio notification. The whole counting process is displayed on LCD as count increments of(or) decrements. Two LEDs – one green and one red, are also given for indication of counting process.

Circuit Description

The complete circuit is built around AVR Microcontroller ATMega32. It consists of push buttons for user setting,LCD display, LEDs for indication, buzzer for audio notification and relay to switch on/off load or device. For complete Circuit Diagram click on the Circuit Diagram Tab.

· Four push buttons are connected to PORTA pins PA0 – PA3 such that when button is pressed that pin will get momentarily high logic input

· PORTC is connected to data pins D0 – D7 of LCD that sends command or data to LCD

· Two control pins En and Rs of LCD are connected to PORTD pins PD0 and PD1 respectively. Third control pin RW is connected to ground to make LCD write always enable